Serna continues success track with latest USYNT invite

Last summer, he was part of the U.S. U-17 National Team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

In February, he signed a national letter of intent to play for the 2010 NCAA College Cup Champions University of Akron.

In May he played for the U.S. U-18 team in a tournament in Portugal.

In June he led the Rapids U-18s to their first-ever U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs, and then scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time of the decisive third game to send the Rapids to their first-ever Academy Finals Week (which will take place next week in Houston)

And today, he earned his first call up to the U.S. U-20 National Team for the prestigious Milk Cup Tournament in Northern Ireland next week (PRESS RELEASE).

"It feels really good," Serna said about being part of U.S. U-20 coach Tab Ramos' roster. "I talked to Tab and he told me that he says he sees something in me."

Serna is one of four players on the U.S. roster called up to this age category for the first time. In his last U.S. Youth National Team camp, he started all three games for the U.S. U-18s in the Lisbon International Tournament against Poland, Portugal, and Slovakia.

After receiving feedback from the U-18 National Team coach, Ramos told Serna he watched all three of the Rapids U-18s Playoff games in Dallas last month. Serna started all three and scored twice, including the goal that secured the Rapids one of the eight spots in next week's Development Academy Finals in Houston.

Serna has also been a regular at Rapids first-team training all year, and has most often played at left back. He has even started four of the six MLS Reserve League games in which he's appeared.

And with all the success comes decisions. Though for Serna, this was an easy one.

"I had fun in Dallas with the team, but I was seen, I guess," said Serna. "This is another great opportunity for me. I wish I could be there with the guys in Houston, because I've been with them the whole time, but I think they'll understand."